Greetings my friends! Wow, it has been awhile since I've written......the problem with blogs is that you have to keep blogging....and if most of you are like me, it's a challenge to keep any one thing going! Mea Culpa!
Many of you are keeping up with Makenzie via Facebook. She posts often. It has been a challenging year for her in her continued recovery. I did say continued. Yes, she is still recovering. Like for many thousands out there who have survived a traumatic situation, recovery is a part of every day life. Let me just share with you some of the highs, lows, and current challenges she has.
WINTER 2011
In January 2011, Makenzie had extensive surgery on her left foot. In the months following the accident, her foot began to turn inward, almost 90 degrees, due to the extensive damage caused by the accident. The procedure included placing a rather large fixator on her foot/leg. This apparatus included rods that were attached to her bones in her leg. She had to turn the screws several times a day for months. After a couple of weeks we began to see the foot begin to straighten. This whole ordeal was VERY painful, very tedious, and included a lot of trips back and forth to Texas Orthopedic Hospital. Makenzie could not place any pressure on her foot, so she could not stand. The fixator was also very heavy. There were several days that the pain was almost unbearable. Keeping the posts cleaned was a daily ritual. This was at times also very painful. Honestly, I am in awe of how much suffering this girl has endured.
In August of 2011, the fixator was finally removed. Makenzie began physical therapy to build up stregnth in her legs from being basically sedentary for the previous months. She and her family also decided to postpone college for another semester so to be more physically prepared for the college transition. She did take an online government class and did very well. She, being her mother's creative daughter, had begun making jewelry while recuperating from the fixator surgery. Her new interest gave her the opportunity to make a little side business for herself called "Chuncky Junky Jewelry".
Physical therapy, studying, and jewelry making. That's pretty much what Makenzie was doing throughout the Fall. However, in mid October, it became apparent that her left foot had started to turn inward again. Of course, not to the degree it had been previous to the fixator, but turning just enough to make the gains in learning to walk more painful. So, back to the doctors at Texas Orthopedic they go, to know why this was happening. After a few meetings with the limb restoration doctor and the foot doctor, the conclusion given was that she would need another surgery. Not the news anyone wanted to hear. Very dissapointing for Makenzie. Very concerning news for her parents Pam & Chuck and brother Kaleb. The family decides to postpone any decision until after the Christmas holidays. Makenzie still has to finish the online class, make jewelry, and get ready to be in a wedding. Deciding on the present tasks at hand was something better to dwell on...
In January Makenzie had a consult with the foot surgeon as to what to do about the foot. The solution for the current situation was difficult to hear: more surgery, very risky, extremely complicated, larger fixator, more serious complications, surgeon very reluctant to do it, not guaranteed success..... The other fixator doc was not at this meeting however. So, here we are.
WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE?
It is now late February. Both the foot doctor and fixator doctor have met together and have called the family in for a consult. That meeting is Friday, February 24. Chuck has asked for prayers for this meeting, for wisdom, and most of all for healing of her left foot. I ask you my friends for your prayers.....
Let me just say how much I appreciate all of you. This has been a long journey for everyone, most especially for Makenzie and her parents. We have celebrated with the highs and wept with the lows, and we're still recovering. Many of you out there are doing the same. Never before have I been so aware of it. Many of you are on your own journey to recovery. For many of you it is still going on.
Scripture for the day to dwell on..... Hebrews 12: 12-13 "Therefore strengthen the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated, but rather be healed". Thank you my friends.... Mary
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